ALBUM REVIEW: Pinkus Abortion Technician – Melvins

In the 35 years since their inception, the ever prolific MELVINS have gained a reputation for being a law unto themselves. They have done what they, how they wanted each and every time they have released a new record, something that has given them one of the most interesting catalogue of any band of their generation, and they don’t seem ready to settle down just yet. Over the last five years they have experimented with different lineups and different versions of the band for various albums and tours, and after their most recent experiments with two drummers, they have now turned their attention to doubling up their low end. For their latest effort, titled Pinkus Abortion Technician, they have brought in BUTTHOLE SURFERS bassist Jeff Pinkus to assist Steven MacDonald (of REDD KROSS fame) for their latest collection, which follows up last year’s double album A Walk With Love and Death.

It all starts with Stop Moving To Florida, a medley of JAMES GANG’s Stop and BUTTHOLE SURFERS Moving To Florida which starts off the album in a pretty melodic way (melodic in the MELVINS own special way that is), before it all falls apart after a couple of minutes. This is followed by the short, punky burst of Embrace The Rub, which had been available for some time. The variety of material on the album is showcased with the slow lumbering Don’t Forget To Breathe flowing into the quieter mellow sound of Flamboyant Duck, before that too becomes more experimental and becomes broken down by the end of the track.

The second half of Pinkus Abortion Technician features two covers, one of them the band played on their last UK tour, and we’re happy to report that it sounds just as twisted on record. After the two minute, almost normal sounding Break Bread, you get the masterpiece that is the deconstructed and reconstructed version of THE BEATLES‘ I Want To Hold Your Hand’, where they have stripped all of the pop sensibilities out of the song and turned it into something utterly warped. Prenup Butter demonstrates the strength of utilising two bassists at its best thanks to a huge rumbling sound rolling through the track. The album finishes almost where it started with a nod towards their newest member, with a cover of the SURFERS‘ Graveyard seeing out the last five minutes of the record.

Pinkus Abortion Technician is very different to previous efforts, but at the same time, contains an air of similarity. Thanks to constantly lineup changes and variations, the vast majority of the band’s recent albums feel like a new band every time, refreshed and with something new to prove. The one connecting factor throughout is the sense of psychedelic noise that flows at the core of their sound. It’s weird, it’s fun, it’s strange, it’s heavy, it’s just MELVINS doing what MELVINS do, and nobody does it quite like them. This will entertain and infuriate people, but there is a lot to like on this release.

Rating: 9/10

Pinkus Abortion Technician is out now via Ipecac Recordings.

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